5 ways to prepare your body for winter

A lot of people struggle with their health during winter, whether that’s skin issues returning or simply not feeling as well as they did in summer. Shorter days bring more periods of sedentary behaviour, with people opting to cosy up rather than venture out after dark. The sun is our friend during the other three seasons of the year, and it’s far easier to stay on top of your health then. 

So how do you best prepare for winter and make it a breeze? Read on to find out. 

1. Prioritise movement 

During shorter days and colder months, we tend to move less, opting for the warmth and comfort of our homes rather than venturing out in the cold. Yet movement is a key part of our health. When we stop moving and spend more time sedentary, our bodies decline; we become rigid and stiff, and lymphatic health plummets.

Moving in winter doesn’t have to mean working out outdoors; you can do plenty inside. Fresh air and natural light are key for our health. Prioritising time outdoors when it is light and making sure you keep the body and lymphatic system moving will help winter feel like a breeze.

2. Prioritise warming foods 

Cold food and drink cool us down, just what we need on a hot summer's day, but the opposite of what we need during cold weather. Cold food and drink enter an already slightly chilly body and, therefore, digestive system, putting extra strain on digestion and reducing absorption. 

If we keep eating and drinking cold foods during winter, we put extra stress on our bodies. Adding more warming foods can help raise your body temperature, ease digestion, and take you out of fight-or-flight after your freezing morning walk.

3. Fix your lighting 

Eating under blue light is a major stressor and can disrupt your metabolic function. It can affect your circadian rhythm and melatonin production, which can severely impair your ability to sleep. Blue light, and its prevalence in the modern age, can trigger a cascade of health issues, with research showing that it may even contribute to the development of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Avoiding blue light is becoming easier, though, with blue light-blocking glasses, incandescent light bulbs, and beeswax candles all exploding in popularity. Simple swaps can help reduce your exposure; the easiest and cheapest is to reduce screen time on devices such as your phone, TV, and computer. 

Finally, get outside more and use natural light; investing in a good infrared light can also make winters much easier. 

4. Plan sweat sessions 

In summer, we tend to sweat far more than in winter for obvious reasons, but this sweating is crucial for good health because it helps us discard toxins from our bodies. When we sweat less, or barely at all, during the really cold months, this form of detoxification stops, allowing toxins that would otherwise be expelled through sweat to build up.

The sauna is one of the best places to sweat; all you have to do is sit for at least 10 minutes and enjoy the detoxification process. If you cannot do that, an intense gym session, hot yoga, or even just a hot bath can serve the same purpose.

If you cannot remember the last time you were really sweaty, chances are you need to hit the sauna and get sweating.

5. Eat fermented foods 

As above. In winter, we detox less and spend more time indoors; the combination of winter habits often leads to recurring skin issues and difficulties with bloating and overall gut health. 

Taking care of your gut is even more important during winter because of the lack of sun, time spent indoors and less movement. Keeping on top of gut health means avoiding ultra-processed foods, keeping bowel movements regular with probiotics from fermented foods, and getting outdoors as much as you can. 

Natural binders such as activated charcoal can help bind unwanted toxins in the gut, but we can also turn to foods such as coriander, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and onions, all of which can also help bind toxins lurking in the gut. 

Fermented foods such as aged cheese, sauerkraut, yoghurt, kefir, and even sourdough can provide beneficial bacteria and keep the gut thriving.

Summary 

To thrive through winter, your habits are just as important as, if not more important than, your food. Winter can be a stressful time for our bodies, and many make it harder by moving less and spending more time under blue light. Don’t let that be you.

Our ancestors spent more time by the fire, receiving infrared light, and eating more seasonally. It’s easy to fall into bad habits, so be honest with yourself and remember that your health is always a priority.